In our previous blog, we delved into the SunShot Initiative, the Dept of Energy’s plan to stimulate the solar and wind industry by providing $77 million in funding.  The goal of this initiative is to spur renewable energy technology, as well as improve the design and permit processes.  Spreading solar awareness and creating numerous jobs are also offshoots from this program receiving a lot of support.  With the recent excitement around SunShot, other renewable energy ideas are beginning to surface!

In 2010, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced the Ten Million Solar Roof Act, a plan to put solar panels and water heaters on 10 million of America's roofs by 2020.  Although approved by the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee in July, 2010, no other advancements have been made.  With the help of SunShot’s plan to lower solar installation costs by 75%, Sanders’ bill is resurfacing. Shayle Kann, managing director of solar research at GTM Research states, "These are two parallel but distinct programs. They could play together very well because undefined to the extent that the SunShot initiative is successful undefined it will lower the [financial] incentives that are required per project for the Ten Million Solar Roof Act” (read more ).

In the State of the Union, President Obama, proposed building 20 million solar installations nationwide by 2020.  While Sanders’ bill calls for about half of this number, the support from the Federal level is encouraging.  "I look forward to working with the Obama administration to incorporate elements of the new solar initiative into the Ten Million Solar Roofs Act to make the legislation even stronger," Sanders said in a Feb. 4 press release. "We have an opportunity to create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs and make America the world leader in solar energy."  Learn more about the Ten Million Solar Roof Act here.

Want solar energy updates? Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!